Bluebell Railway NSE Diesel Gala 4-6 September 2026

[Rail_Sussex]

Where are the visiting trains running from that are coming

I believe the EPB & MLVs are currently at Southall, please correct me of I’m wrong.

 

[158760]

Where are the visiting trains running from that are coming

03179 - Isle of Wight
31108 - Midland Railway Butterley
31210 - ?
33108 - Severn Valley
50026 - Eastleigh (50021 and 50026 Group)
60028 - Cappagh (DC Rail)
73128 - GBRf
1001 - St Leonards (Hastings Diesels)
9001 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
9002 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
5759 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)

 

[Cymroglan]

Yes, there is a foot crossing at the north end of the station.

To be clear to all, you must not cross the track anywhere on the Bluebell Railway unless accompanied by a member of staff (or in possession of a valid Bluebell PTS).

(I know you mentioned the need to ask staff in your post - I just feel obliged to make it clear to anyone reading this thread that you must be accompanied)

In terms of Kingscote, you will be able to cross (roughly) with the following restrictions:

• The station will be staffed from roughly 0900-1800 each day - so you can't cross outside of those times.
• You will be unable to cross when an up train (towards East Grinstead) formed of set A or set B is in the platform (potentially fouling the crossing)
• You will be unable to cross when there is a train within five minutes of the station in section.
• Staff may be otherwise occupied when trains are at the station.

In summary, it's best to try to cross when there are no trains at Kingscote at that exact moment.

All comments in this post are my own personal view and with my own experience of visiting the Bluebell Railway. These comments have no resemblance to the offical stance of the Bluebell Railway.

Many thanks for this detailed reply. I support your decision to spell it out in detail, it really could be a life saver.

 

[43096]

03179 - Isle of Wight
31108 - Midland Railway Butterley
31210 - ?
33108 - Severn Valley
50026 - Eastleigh (50021 and 50026 Group)
60028 - Cappagh (DC Rail)
73128 - GBRf
1001 - St Leonards (Hastings Diesels)
9001 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
9002 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
5759 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)

Hastings Unit 1001 is already on the railway.

 

[Toby3875]

03179 - Isle of Wight
31108 - Midland Railway Butterley
31210 - ?
33108 - Severn Valley
50026 - Eastleigh (50021 and 50026 Group)
60028 - Cappagh (DC Rail)
73128 - GBRf
1001 - St Leonards (Hastings Diesels)
9001 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
9002 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
5759 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)

Thanks

 

[fgwrich]

03179 - Isle of Wight
31108 - Midland Railway Butterley
31210 - ?
33108 - Severn Valley
50026 - Eastleigh (50021 and 50026 Group)
60028 - Cappagh (DC Rail)
73128 - GBRf
1001 - St Leonards (Hastings Diesels)
9001 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
9002 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)
5759 - Southall? (EPB Pres Group)

Just on that though, and to save a small bit of confusion, both 33108 and 1001 are both in temporary residents on the line and have been for part of the summer. I believe both leave for their respective homes after the gala has finished.

Also, something of BR Mk1 Suburban origin in NSE has been seen in the line too. Unsure if one of the EPBs has arrived.

 

[158760]

Hastings Unit 1001 is already on the railway.

It is indeed, but I included that and 33108 as they are both visitors to the railway

Just on that though, and to save a small bit of confusion, both 33108 and 1001 are both in temporary residents on the line and have been for part of the summer. I believe both leave for their respective homes after the gala has finished.

Also, something of BR Mk1 Suburban origin in NSE has been seen in the line too. Unsure if one of the EPBs has arrived.

That’s the Oxted Thumper 1305 - it’s been partially repainted into NSE for the gala.

 

[SECR 65]

Just on that though, and to save a small bit of confusion, both 33108 and 1001 are both in temporary residents on the line and have been for part of the summer. I believe both leave for their respective homes after the gala has finished.

Also, something of BR Mk1 Suburban origin in NSE has been seen in the line too. Unsure if one of the EPBs has arrived.

33108 will remain at the Bluebell for some time after the gala and will leave later in the Autumn. It is booked to haul further services which will be announced in due course.

 

[Invincible]

It's a diesel gala. While the line-up now looks reasonable, the Bluebell have been rather deceptive with the bigging up of certain items - and a single CIG coach is in that category. Not a good look IMHO.

It is the part of the only phase 1 cig unit, displaying it, even as a static display might help raise funds for restoration.
Ideally there should be a EMU gala, but till that happens EMUs will be guests at diesel galas, ideally push pull powered by diesel locos

 

[UP13]

Just bought my tickets for the Sunday. Shame I couldn't make the Sunday as the band in the evening sounds really good too.

Hope the event is a huge hit and helps the railway claw back some of the lost revenue from the dry summer!

 

[SECR 65]

Just bought my tickets for the Sunday. Shame I couldn't make the Sunday as the band in the evening sounds really good too.

The music is on Saturday evening, is it not?

Parasocial live at The Bessemer Arms​

Get ready for an evening of loud guitars, big choruses and 90s and 00s nostalgia as Parasocial bring their high-energy live show to The Bessemer Arms during the Bluebell Railway Diesel Gala.

This Sussex-based covers band will be performing on Saturday 5 September, from 6 pm to 8 pm, with a set packed full of rock and pop-punk favourites inspired by bands including Blink-182, Green Day, Nirvana and more.

Whether you’re joining us for the Diesel Gala or simply looking for a great night of live music, Parasocial will provide the perfect soundtrack to your Saturday evening.

The Bessemer Arms, Horsted Keynes

Saturday 5 September

6pm–8pm

Come along, grab a drink, and get ready to sing along to some of the biggest rock and pop-punk anthems of the 90s and 00s!

Only thing is... The Bessemer Arms is at Sheffield Park, not Horsted Keynes!

I understand that the bar in the Bessemer Arms will be open until late on Friday and Saturday of the gala.

Hope the event is a huge hit and helps the railway claw back some of the lost revenue from the dry summer!

So do I - the steam ban, whilst absolutely neccecary, has been really bad for the railway and visitor numbers have been noticably lower.

 

[UP13]

The music is on Saturday evening, is it not?

Typo on my behalf. I meant to say shame ai couldn't go on the Saturday.

 

[fb2126]

Just a heads up guys, there are only rail replacement buses to East Grinstead on Sunday the 6th, no direct services from East Croydon/Oxted

 

[JonathanH]

Just a heads up guys, there are only rail replacement buses to East Grinstead on Sunday the 6th, no direct services from East Croydon/Oxted

As easy to get to East Grinstead from Gatwick (500) or Three Bridges (281, 291, 400) on Metrobus, as to use the replacement buses.

 

[SECR 65]

As of yesterday, there is no sign at the railway (I didn't look that hard, in honesty) of any of the gala visitors, aside from 33108 and 1001, and (obviously) E6040.

When I looked last night there was no sign yet of any STP moves to East Grinstead in the NR data which are of note for the gala.

 

[JonathanH]

When I looked last night there was no sign yet of any STP moves to East Grinstead in the NR data which are of note for the gala.

50026 was, I think, hauled to Willesden from Eastleigh by 60028 yesterday.

0Z61 1142 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Willesden Dc Rail Sidings
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R56604/2026-08-28/detailed

60028 with 50026 working 0Z61 Eastleigh Works to Willesden DC Rail Sidings via Woking passes Basingstoke 28/08/26

60028 was picking up 50026 from Eastleigh Works in readiness for their visit to the Bluebell Railway Diesel Gala over the weekend of 04-06 September 2026.

www.flickr.com

Southall move on Wednesday
5Z84 1030 Southall Wcr to East Grinstead
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K03125/2026-09-02/detailed

Butterley move also on Wednesday
0O47 1124 Butterley M.R.C. to East Grinstead Sidings
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R46339/2026-09-02/detailed

 

[158760]

5759, 9001 & 9002 booked to arrive by rail on Wednesday (5Z84).

31108 and 31210 booked to arrive by rail on Wednesday (0O47).

50026 and 60028 booked to arrive by rail on Thursday (timings TBC).

73128 booked to arrive by rail on Thursday (timings TBC).

The 03 will arrive by road (I believe next week).

I don’t have any info on the move of 1753’s DTC 76048, but I imagine that will arrive by road next week.

As mentioned above 33108 and 1001 are already on the railway, having run most of the summer services alongside E6040.

 

[sad1e]

I don’t have any info on the move of 1753’s DTC 76048, but I imagine that will arrive by road next week.

I'm pretty sure it's already there , it was seen moving by road early last month and there are photos on the bluebell Facebook of it in undercoat in a shed.

 

[158760]

I'm pretty sure it's already there , it was seen moving by road early last month and there are photos on the bluebell Facebook of it in undercoat in a shed.

Not to my knowledge it isn’t - if you’re referring to this picture that’s not our shed.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Just a heads up guys, there are only rail replacement buses to East Grinstead on Sunday the 6th, no direct services from East Croydon/Oxted

Poor joined up thinking. I note that, likewise, Alnmouth will only have RRBs on the day of the Aln Valley Gala

 

[SECR 65]

Just a heads up guys, there are only rail replacement buses to East Grinstead on Sunday the 6th, no direct services from East Croydon/Oxted

It's very frustrating that the mainline closure and the gala have fallen on the same day. At least there are trains running on Friday and Saturday. I suspect the Bluebell had little choice in terms of the placement of the gala. You couldn't really run it this weekend, in August, on the bank holiday, as that would be a detriment to Summer holiday traffic who want steam......
Likewise, two weeks after the diesel gala is the beer festival. Four months after that is Giants of Steam. Both will be determined by loco availability.

 

[Peter Sarf]

It's very frustrating that the mainline closure and the gala have fallen on the same day. At least there are trains running on Friday and Saturday. I suspect the Bluebell had little choice in terms of the placement of the gala. You couldn't really run it this weekend, in August, on the bank holiday, as that would be a detriment to Summer holiday traffic who want steam......
Likewise, two weeks after the diesel gala is the beer festival. Four months after that is Giants of Steam. Both will be determined by loco availability.

I wonder which came first ?.
Bluebell Railway fixing the date
OR
Network rail planning the engineering work.

 

[Forty29]

That's annoying was planning to come by train on the Sunday! Will have to put up with replacement buses then!

 

[fb2126]

That's annoying was planning to come by train on the Sunday! Will have to put up with replacement buses then!

It is frustrating but at the same time the engineering work is necessary. In that case make sure to leave a bit earlier since the bus does take longer than train

 

[Techniquest]

That's annoying was planning to come by train on the Sunday! Will have to put up with replacement buses then!

I hear you on that, I’m absolutely not going now as a result of faffing around with buses. It wouldn’t have been too big an issue if I hadn’t planned to use the coach to London in the first place, I can find better things to do elsewhere!

 

[Ted633]

I'm pretty sure it's already there , it was seen moving by road early last month and there are photos on the bluebell Facebook of it in undercoat in a shed.

Just seen on 1753 Facebook page that the DTC will be travelling from Burton for this, so it isn’t the one seen on the road last month. The one seen on the road was entirely in Connex livery, no primer in sight, so not the one we’ve seen images of.
The DTC in primer/undercoat as we’ve seen pictures of is likely the one attending. Think it’s possible it’s been repainted (and if it has, it’ll be NSE)

 

[158760]

I wonder which came first ?.
Bluebell Railway fixing the date
OR
Network rail planning the engineering work.

The gala was planned and the date fixed towards the end of 2025. I don’t know how far in advance Network Rail releases info about planned engineering works, but I imagine it would be quite close between the two.